Shotlist

Ken Smith sez: A film you will remember long after others are forgotten. This U.S. Army production introduces us to "Homer," a hillbilly-type who smells real bad. The guys in his barracks have to figure some way to encourage him to take a bath. They hit upon the idea of creating new lyrics for folk songs, and at this point the film quickly spins out of control, as Homer's loveable gang of GIs warbles tune after tune, such as "Fresh And Clean," and "Wash Your Socks." Amazing.
The U.S. Army, one of the world's most prolific makers of motion pictures, excelled with this one, which may have been produced near where we are now sitting at the Astoria Studios. Homer, a soldier of rural or mountain origin, doesn't wash and is smelling up the barracks. His strangely benevolent buddies decide on a musical strategy to get him under the spray, and cook up new lyrics for folk songs. The remainder of the lengthy film is composed of musical sequences like "Fresh and Clean" and "Wash Your Socks." After films like this, it's no wonder that veterans-turned-students needed the remedial advice of films like Body Care and Grooming.


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